Dignitaries Can No Longer Take Their Bunch Of Supporters To Chamundi Hills During Ashada
The intermediary tickets of Rs 300 per person have been cancelled this year to allow devotees waiting in general darshan to have darshan of the Goddess as early as possible
BENGALURU: Dignitaries such as Ministers/MLAs can no longer ferry their entire bunch of supporters for the darshan of Goddess Chamundeshwari, atop Chamundi Hills in Mysuru with them during Ashada month beginning tomorrow for special darshan of the Goddess and the referred Very Important Persons (VIPs) should get Rs 2,000 a ticket to have special darshan.
The intermediary tickets of Rs 300 per person have been cancelled this year to allow devotees waiting in general darshan to have darshan of the Goddess as early as possible.
“It’s either general darshan or Rs 2,000 ticket for the darshan of Chamundeshwari during the month-long Ashada month is considered auspicious for Goddess worship and thousands of devotees mainly Hindus congregate at the Hills, the abode of Goddess Chamundeshwari also the presiding deity of Mysuru,” said M.J. Roopa, Member-Secretary of Chamundi Kshetra Development Authority.
As per protocol, she said, “VIPs along with immediate family members are allowed for special darshan and that too within stipulated hours of 5.30 am to 9.30 am.”
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle on Thursday, Member-Secretary M.J. Roopa pointed out “Whenever a dignitary arrived for darshan and his huge fans following also made their way to the darshan of the deity. This caused inconvenience to devotees waiting in the general queue and it took several hours for them to have darshan of the Goddess.” She ruled out recommendation letters to avail special darshan at Chamundi Hills.
Over devotees complaining Rs 2000 tickets is a costly affair for them to afford, Roopa said “It is not that way. The move is to allow VIPs to have special darshan since they will not be allowed to go for darshan with dignitaries.”
‘It is not mandatory to have darshan paying Rs 2,000 a ticket,” she said and stated “the estimated time for devotees availing Rs 2,000 is about an-hour.” Recalling the previous year’s introduction of Rs 2,000 tickets for special darshan, Roopa said “The idea worked in crowd management and devotees in general queue had earlier darshan than that of previous years of experience of waiting for long hours.”
Roopa said elaborate arrangements have been made at the Hills such as adequate drinking and toilet facilities for the convenience of devotees. Devotees who wish to climb the 1,000 steps to the top of Hills for darshan of the Goddess will be allowed after 5 am from foothills and the climbing steps will be closed at 5 pm.
